Mapisa — Nqakula Trial Concludes with Corruption Charges ### DATELINE: Pretoria, South Africa — August 7, 2026 ### LEAD The corruption trial of former South African Defence Minister and National Assembly Speaker Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula concluded this week after two weeks of testimony. Mapisa-Nqakula faced 12 counts of corruption and one count of money laundering, with the State alleging she solicited and received approximately R4. 5 million from defence contractor Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu between 2016 and 2019.
### NUT GRAF: The trial has been marked by significant financial evidence, including large cash withdrawals and coded chats, which the State claims link Mapisa-Nqakula to the corrupt payments. Key witnesses, including Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu’s husband, Retired Major General Dr. Noel Ndhlovu, and financial investigator Wynand Wessels, provided testimonies that supported the prosecution’s case.
### BODY: #### Background on the Charges Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula, who served as both Defence Minister and National Assembly Speaker, is accused of using her position to benefit Umkhombe Marine, a company owned by Nombasa Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu.
The State alleges that Mapisa — Nqakula solicited and received R4. 5 million in return for securing contracts for Umkhombe Marine.
#### Testimonies and Evidence Retired Major General Dr.
Noel Ndhlovu testified that Mapisa — Nqakula demanded R2 million to secure his promotion to surgeon general. Financial investigator Wynand Wessels presented evidence of cash withdrawals from Ntsondwa-Ndhlovu’s account, linking them to the days Mapisa-Nqakula allegedly requested cash.
#### The Defence’s Strategy The defence team sought to challenge the credibility of the State’s witnesses and evidence.
They argued that inconsistencies in testimonies and the nature of the financial evidence did not conclusively prove Mapisa — Nqakula’s guilt. #### Implications for South Africa The trial has significant implications for South Africa’s fight against corruption.
The prosecution’s focus on financial evidence and the use of coded chats and secret codewords in the trial highlight the sophisticated nature of corruption in the country. ### KICKER: As the trial concludes, the South African public awaits the judgment on Mapisa-Nqakula’s charges.
The outcome is expected to have a profound impact on perceptions of corruption within the country’s government and military sectors.
### [State turns to corroborating case in Mapisa-Nqakula corruption trial — mg. Co.
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*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Google News v2
